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Find the perfect housemate

Looking for an affordable place to live? Or perhaps you have an extra room you’d like to rent?

Montgomery County, Maryland, just made finding (or renting) a long-term, affordable home a little easier. The county teamed up with a nonprofit called Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP), a local housing developer and counseling agency, to launch a Home Sharing Program in December.

“The goal is to successfully identify and match renters who are seeking affordable housing options with homeowners who have attractive and safe spare bedrooms in their homes, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property, to rent long-term,” county spokesman Kevin Zhang said in a statement.

To apply to share your home or rent a long-term room, call the program’s hotline, and a counselor will explain the process and set up a meeting with potential matches.

The initiative uses Silvernest.com, a national roommate-matching website, to pair up renters with people who have rooms for rent. (All potential renters will be given a credit check and criminal background check.)

No subsidies are available, and the homeowner must live in the house full-time to participate.

To find out more about the new Home Sharing Program, call (301) 857-4273 or visit hiphomes.org/home-sharing.

Medicare Health Plan wins top rating

In October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave Erickson Advantage — a unique health insurance plan for residents of Erickson Living communities — a rating of five stars.

That places Erickson in an elite group of only 21 Medicare Advantage health plans (out of 400) to receive a five-star rating from CMS for Part C and Part D benefits, according to Matthew Narrett, M.D., Erickson Living’s chief medical officer.

“It’s rewarding to be among America’s leading geriatric healthcare systems in which we help Medicare beneficiaries maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle,” Narrett said in a statement. “Our six health plan options, which offer extra benefits beyond original Medicare, place a strong emphasis on preventive care and wellness in order to help seniors enjoy a better quality of life.”

Anyone who lives in an Erickson Living community can participate in the customized Medicare Advantage healthcare plan through United Healthcare. The program covers 5,000 participants at Erickson’s 18 continuing care communities.

“The plan emphasizes a holistic approach across the continuum of care and aligns health benefits with surrounding supportive services in an effort to help improve quality while reducing cost for Erickson Living residents and their beneficiaries,” according to a company statement.

Erickson Living’s continuing care retirement communities are located in 11 states, including Maryland (Catonsville, Silver Spring and Parkville) and Virginia (Springfield and Ashburn). To learn more, visit ericksonseniorliving.com or call 1-877-575-0231.

Walking program made strides

Last October, Waltonwood at Ashburn in Virginia gave its residents a challenge: Walk as much as possible.

One resident, Fred Hill, did just that, logging more than 15,000 steps in a week. “Walking helps me physically, mentally, emotionally and socially,” said Hill, who was among the top walkers. “I have felt a difference in my overall well-being since I started to walk more.”

During the week-long Silver Sneakers Challenge, residents kept track of their steps with pedometers. Staffers offered new exercise classes, including a bowling via video game.

Located on 14 acres, Waltonwood at Ashburn has 114 independent living apartment homes, 72 assisted living apartments and27 memory care apartments. Visit waltonwood.com or call (571) 266-0288.